Chinese fishing boats have been making some unusual moves lately in the East China Sea, satellite images and shipping data show

"Thousands of Chinese fishing vessels amassed in what appeared to be coordinated formations in the East China Sea in recent weeks. Experts say the unusual display suggests more than regular commercial activity. Shipping data tracked these formations, which China watchers and experts familiar with such activities in the region said were unprecedented in scale and highly inconsistent with normal fishing practices."

"The first of these irregular movements of Chinese fishing boats occurred on December 25, with more than 2,000 ships forming two reverse L shapes with lines over 290 miles long off the coast of Shanghai. Then, on January 11, almost 1,500 vessels were spotted forming a single line in the same waters stretching roughly 300 miles. The New York Times first reported these activities."

Thousands of Chinese fishing vessels sailed into coordinated formations in the East China Sea twice in recent weeks. Shipping data and satellite imagery recorded lines of vessels stretching nearly 300 miles. On December 25 more than 2,000 ships formed two reverse L shapes off Shanghai; on January 11 almost 1,500 vessels formed a single roughly 300-mile line. The scale and patterns are highly inconsistent with normal commercial fishing practices. The behavior aligns with activities of China's Maritime Militia, a state-directed, deniable fleet used to assert control over contested waterways. China has rejected characterizations linking the vessels to the militia.

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